ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE.

[clare10]

First post on Pernicious anaemia forum, although i have posted on the thyroid forum as i have had a total thyroidectomy due to graves disease. After several visits to the Drs with fatigue breathlessness on exertion and a general unwell feeling, blood results showed that my B12 was low 185 PMOI/L. SERUM FOLATE 14.53 RANGE 10.4-42.4. Lucky me i think my DR straight away said i needed 6 uploading doses of b12 and then every 3 months. What i am wandering is should my Folate need supplementing as although in range it is at the bottom end. Should say i am not a Vegan and eat very healthy. A month after the loading doses i am feeling a lot brighter but still have to manage my energy levels, hence that is why i am asking should i supplement to bring my Folate levels up if so what should i take and how long for. Thanks.

[fbirder]

Taking 400ug a day of folic acid couldn't hurt. Eating a handful of spinach a day will do a pretty good job as well - and it's tastier and probably has more fibre than the pills

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi clare10 I'm not clear on whether you have started your loading doses of B12 yet but if you haven't i think the perceived wisdom is not to start supplementing with folic acid until after you've had the first injection and then probably continue for about four months and get it tested again.

I've been taking 400ug a day of folic acid a day for more years than I can remember but then I've been having B12 injections for 45 years.

[clare10 in reply to clivealive]

Thanks i have had 6 loading injections, just was wandering if my folate level was low enough to warrant supplementing.Thanks.

[Ryaan in reply to clivealive]

Hi CliveAlive

How often do you have B12 injections ? 1ml ? Hydroxocobalamin ? Do you have PA or just low B12 due to absorption problems ?

Hope u remain in best of health. Thanks for providing very useful and helpful information for all those with health issues .

Thankyou.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Ryaan]

Hi Ryaan I was diagnosed with P.A. 45 years ago following gastric surgery for the removal of two thirds of my stomach 13 years previously, due to a perforated peptic ulcer and was put on cyanocobalamin 1000mcg B12 injections every four weeks for life.

After about 15 or so years I was tried on Hydroxocobalamin but had an allergic reaction to one or other of the "ingredients" with nausea, headaches and skin rashes so was put back onto the cyano.

This year after several years of noticing a return of some symptoms in the run up to my next injection I have at last got the frequency of injections up to one every three weeks.

Thanks for your kind wishes.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Both fbirder and I have "said" yes to you taking a 400ug a day tablet of folic acid especially now after your loading doses..

How are you feeling?

[clare10 in reply to clivealive]

Def feeling brighter but still having odd days when i feel out of sorts, early days so i feel positive.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to clare10]

That's good and it's not uncommon for symptoms to vary as the B12 gets to work.

You have my best wishes for the future.

[Ryaan]

Hi

Yes you already have the best answers.

400ug for 3 months minimum but you can carry on if on regular B12 injections.